The following fairy tale is separated into 4 parts. Each part has questions that go along with the section, to help the reader have a better understanding of the tale. Also, for the reader, the selection has been numbered. Remember to read the selections more than once for comprehension purposes.
While reading this fairy tale, keep in mind that it is written in what is called Old English. This means some words are used or spelled differently than the vocabulary we use today. Should you have difficulty with the words, use context clues to help. You may also ask your teacher, or use a dictionary to help you understand the meaning.
Good Luck is Better Than Gold
Part 1
1 There was once upon a time a child who had Good Luck for his godfather.
2 "I am not Fortune," said Good Luck to the parents; "I have no gifts to bestow, but whenever he needs help I will be at hand."
3 "Nothing could be better," said the old couple. They were delighted. But what pleases the father often fails to satisfy the son: moreover, every man thinks that he deserves just a little more than he has got, and does not reckon it to the purpose if his father had less.
4 Many a one would be thankful to have as good reasons for contentment as he who had Good Luck for his godfather.
5 If he fell, Good Luck popped something soft in the way to break his fall; if he fought, Good Luck directed his blows, or tripped up his adversary; if he got into a scrape, Good Luck helped him out of it; and if ever Misfortune met him, Good Luck contrived to hustle her on the pathway till his godson got safely by.
6 In games of hazard the godfather played over his shoulder. In matters of choice he chose for him. And when the lad began to work on his father's farm the farmer began to get rich. For no bird or field-mouse touched a seed that his son had sown, and every plant he planted throve when Good Luck smiled on it.
7 The boy was not fond of work, but when he did go into the fields, Good Luck followed him.
8 "Your christening-day was a blessed day for us all," said the old farmer.
9 "He has never given me so much as a lucky sixpence," muttered Good Luck's godson.
10 "I am not Fortune—I make no presents," said the godfather.
11 When we are discontented it is oftener to please our neighbours than ourselves. It was because the other boys had said—"Simon, the shoemaker's son, has an alderman for his godfather. He gave him a silver spoon with the Apostle Peter for the handle; but thy godfather is more powerful than any alderman"—that Good Luck's godson complained, "He has never given me so much as a bent sixpence."
Good Luck is Better Than Gold
Part -2
12 By and by the old farmer died, and his son grew up, and had the largest farm in the country. The other boys grew up also, and as they looked over the farmer's boundary-wall, they would say:
13 "Good-morning, Neighbour. That is certainly a fine farm of yours. Your cattle thrive without loss. Your crops grow in the rain and are reaped with the sunshine. Mischance never comes to your road. What you have worked for you enjoy. Such success would turn the heads of poor folk like us. At the same time one would think a man need hardly work for his living at all who has Good Luck for his godfather."
14 "That is very true," thought the farmer. "Many a man is prosperous, and reaps what he sows, who had no more than the clerk and the sexton for gossips at his christening."
15 "What is the matter, Godson?" asked Good Luck, who was with him in the field.
16 "I want to be rich," said the farmer.
17 "You will not have to wait long," replied the godfather. "In every field you sow, in every flock you rear there is increase without abatement. Your wealth is already tenfold greater than your father's."
18 "Aye, aye," replied the farmer. "Good wages for good work. But many a young man has gold at his command who need never turn a sod, and none of the Good People came to his christening. Fortunatus's Purse now, or even a sack or two of gold—"
19 "Peace!" cried the godfather; "I have said that I give no gifts."
20 Though he had not Fortunatus's Purse, the farmer had money to spare, and when the harvest was gathered in, he bought a fine suit of clothes, and took his best horse and went to the royal city to see the sights.
21 The pomp and splendour, the festivities and fine clothes dazzled him.
22 "This is a gay life which these young courtiers lead," said he. "A man has nothing to do but to enjoy himself."
24 By and by the Princess passed in her carriage. She was the King's only daughter. She had hair made of sunshine, and her eyes were stars.
26 "She has as many suitors as hairs on her head," replied the bystander. "She wants to marry the Prince of Moonshine, but he only dresses in silver, and the King thinks he might find a richer son-in-law. The Princess will go to the highest bidder."
27 "And I have Good Luck for my godfather, and am not even at court!" cried the farmer; and he put spurs to his horse, and rode home.
Good Luck is Better Than Gold
Part 3
28 Good Luck was taking care of the farm.
29 "Listen, Godfather!" cried the young man. "I am in love with the King's daughter, and would want her to be my wife."
30 "It is not an easy matter," replied Good Luck, "but I will do what I can for you. Say that by good luck you saved the Princess's life, or perhaps better the King's—for they say he is selfish—"
31 "Tush!" cried the farmer. "The King is covetous, and wants a rich son-in-law."
32 "A wise man may bring wealth to a kingdom with his head, if not with his hands," said Good Luck, "and I can show you a district where the earth only wants mining to be flooded with wealth. Besides, there are a thousand opportunities that can be turned to account and influence. By wits and work, and with Good Luck to help him, many a poorer man than you has risen to greatness."
33 "Wits and work!" cried the indignant godson. "You speak well—truly! A hillman would have made a better godfather. Give me as much gold as will fill three meal-bins, and you may keep the rest of your help for those who want it."
34 Now at this moment by Good Luck stood Dame Fortune. She likes handsome young men, and there was some little jealousy between her and the godfather so she smiled at the quarrel.
35 "You would rather have had me for your gossip?" said she.
36 "If you would give me three wishes, I would," replied the farmer boldly, "and I would trouble you no more."
37 "Will you make him over to me?" said Dame Fortune to the godfather.
38 "If he wishes it," replied Good Luck. "But if he accepts your gifts he has no further claim on me."
39 "Nor on me either," said the Dame. "Hark ye, young man, you mortals are apt to make a hobble of your three wishes, and you may end with a sausage at your nose, like your betters."
40 "I have thought of it too often," replied the farmer, "and I know what I want. For my first wish I desire imperishable beauty."
41 "It is yours," said Dame Fortune, smiling as she looked at him.
42 "The face of a prince and the manners of a clown are poor partners," said the farmer. "My second wish is for suitable learning and courtly manners, which cannot be gained at the plough-tail."
43 "You have them in perfection," said the Dame, as the young man thanked her by a graceful bow.
45 "I will lead you to it," said Dame Fortune; and the young man was so eager to follow her that he did not even look back to bid farewell to his godfather.
Good Luck is Better Than Gold
Part - 4
46 He was soon at court. He lived in the utmost pomp. He had a suit of armor made for himself out of beaten gold. No metal less precious might come near his person, except for the blade of his sword. This was obliged to be made of steel, for gold is not always strong enough to defend one's life or his honour. But the Princess still loved the Prince of Moonshine.
47 "Stuff and nonsense!" said the King. "I shall give you to the Prince of Gold."
48 "I wish I had the good luck to please her," muttered the young Prince. But he had not, for all his beauty and his wealth. However, she was to marry him, and that was something.
49 The preparations for the wedding were magnificent.
50 "It is a great expense," sighed the King, "but then I get the Prince of Gold for a son-in-law."
51 The Prince and his bride drove around the city in a triumphal procession. Her hair fell over her like sunshine, but the starlight of her eyes was cold.
52 In the train rode the Prince of Moonshine, dressed in silver, and with no color on his face.
53 As the bridal chariot approached one of the city gates, two black ravens hovered over it, and then flew away, and settled on a tree.
54 Good Luck was sitting under the tree to see his godson's triumph, and he heard the birds talking above him.
55 "Has the Prince of Gold no friend who can tell him that there is a loose stone above the archway that is tottering to fall?" said they. And Good Luck covered his face with his mantle as the Prince drove through.
56 Just as they were passing out of the gateway the stone fell on to the Prince's head. He wore a casque of pure gold, but his neck was broken.
57 "We can't have all this expense for nothing," said the King: so he married his daughter to the Prince of Moonshine. If one can't get gold one must be content with silver.
58 "Will you come to the funeral?" asked Dame Fortune of the godfather.
59 "Not I," replied Good Luck. "I had no hand in this matter."
60 The rain came down in torrents. The black feathers on the ravens' backs looked as if they had been oiled.
61 "Caw! caw!" said they. "It was an unlucky end."
